Phillies Drop Forgettable Game To Braves

On a rain-soaked night, the Phillies lost an ugly one to the Braves, 9-2, in a game that left them with more questions than answers about the once vaunted Roy Halladay.

WHAT’S UP, DOC?

-The wet conditions tonight didn’t make for an ideal stage to evaluate Halladay (remember the wet mound from a couple weeks ago?), but evaluate we must. So what are the returns after his first start of 2013? Not great. Somebody file a missing persons report, because the Roy Halladay of lore is still nowhere to be found.

-Halladay’s first inning got off to a great start. He recorded a strikeout using a nasty splitter on an 0-2 count. But it went all downhill from there. Jason Heyward reached on a broken bat single to right and Justin Upton followed with a two-run dinger. The control issues Halladay exhibited during the Spring resurfaced, as he followed up Upton’s home run by issuing a walk to Freddie Freeman. It’d be the first of two walks in the inning. Halladay would allow another run before finally retiring the side. The 40-pitch inning certainly didn’t do anything to help quell the uneasiness Phillies fans are feeling about the righthander. However, Halladay would improve from there. Slightly.

-He got through the second using 16 pitches and cruised through the third. Remarkably, his first eight outs were recorded by strikeout. He ran into some more trouble in the fourth, allowing another home run and a single before getting pulled with one out. His final line: 3.1 IP, 6 H, x ER, 3 BB, 9 K. The strikeouts were encouraging. The three walks and four runs were not. His velocity on his fastball was between 88-92 MPH.

-It’s notable that Halladay struggled in the first inning, as it was notoriously problematic for him last season (He had a 6.48 ERA in the first in 2012, his highest in any inning). If you take that away, he actually looked pretty good. Problem is, you can’t take that away. There’s still a lot of uncertainty about exactly what this team will get from Doc this season. He’s struggled, but his main problem area–fastball command–is something that can seemingly be fixed. Whether he is able to do that or not remains to be seen. So far, he has not adjusted.

THE OFFENSE TAKES A NIGHT OFF

-A common theme for this team through two is men left on base (Big surprise there!). They left eight men on base on Monday. Tonight, they’d leave nine on base. Approach-wise, they were OK. They worked decent counts and chased Paul Maholm from the game after 5.2 innings. They had nine hits, but could not find the big one. Erik Kratz killed rallies with a double play in the second, a strike out with two on and one out in the fourth, and again with two on and two outs in the sixth. Throughout the order, the team struggled to string hits together. Collectively, they went (1-for-11) with RISP. It didn’t help that they only had two extra base hits on the night.

-After going 3-for-5 with three RBI on Monday, Chase Utley again provided an offensive jolt, driving in the lone two runs with a double in the seventh. It was his only hit of the night, but Utley is delivering so far. Ben Revere was also a bright spot, scoring a run for the second straight game, despite only reaching base once.

MIDDLE RELIEF LIMITS THE DAMAGE

-Following Halladay, Raul Valdes promptly walked two runners to load the bases for Freeman, who cleared them with a double to make it 7-0. It was not a great start for the Phillies lefthander, who pitched so well last season. The leak would stop from there.

–Antonio Bastardo pitched a scoreless sixth and Mike Adams made his Phillies debut, striking out two in a very impressive seventh inning. Jonathan Papelbon would allow a meaningless two-run home run in the eighth to make it 9-2. You’ll recall he struggled in non-save situations last year.

GAME NOTES

-The Phillies fall to 0-2. As Corey Seidman tweeted earlier tonight, seven of the 16 teams to start 0-2 the last two years made the playoffs and two won the World Series. In both 2008 and 2009, the Phillies started 0-2. It’s not quite time to panic yet.

You’re too kind for not pointing out that Mike Everitt helped to kill some rallies, too. Not saying it would have changed the game enough to alter the result, but it bears mention that one of the umpires really screwed the pooch tonight.

As the writer mentioned, tonight’s game is one to forget and move on to the next game tomorrow (weather permitting) when Cliff Lee takes the mound.

The game was ugly and an oddity where the Braves’ hitters struck out 16 times and won by 7 runs. Obviously, Halladay is still struggling with his command and not the velocity of his fastball. When Braves’ Dan Uggla walked the first two times in his at bats, that said it all for me on Halladay’s location problems. Maybe it has to do with his mechanics in his delivery or something else. Certainly the dismal weather didn’t helped his cause.

Also, the Phillies are repeating the same problem with men on base. 1 for 11 with RISP won’t win very many games. It’s great to see Utley coming out of the gate in a big way with 5 RBIs in his first two games. However, other players need to step up..sooner than later. Unfortunately, one can’t rely on someone like Kravitz to be the hero. Carlos Ruiz, we can hardly wait for you to return.

I see no reason to “forget” this game. It is just as important as any other. Unfortunately it demonstrated why the Braves (and Nats) will best the Phils this year – they have POWER. Yes the Braves will strike out but they will hit HRs and that means they score. I can easily see five of their hitters (if not more) having 30+ HR years. With that many runs they can strike out as many times as you want!

Also Halladay clearly does not have the control he used to have. This is not just “one game.” It is a continuation from last year plus this spring training. He just does not have it anymore. And Halladay without pinpoint control is, well, it is Kyle Kendrick.

“Just as important as any other.” Exactly. 1/162th of a season. 00.61728395 % of the season. The only thing we can learn from 2 games is how easy it is to disown our predictions when they come up flat.

Oh my, Halladay really worries. But my hope is that a pitcher cannot regress that much. At this point I am hoping for an ERA close to 4.00 for the season. That would be at least acceptable for a No. 3 starter. I guess we have to hope that Kendrick’s second half last year was not a fluke and he will pick up some of Halladays lost value.

It was a strange outing for Doc, but I don’t think it necessarily portends much about the rest of the season although I’m sure you’ll be hearing a different narrative on the talk shows over the four days. While the 2 HR’s and 3 BB’s are obviously a concern, he also K’d 9 of the 19 batters he faced. Of the 19 batters, only 5 ended up with a BIP and 4 of them went for hits (including a bloop and an opposite field single).

Actually, it was a strange game for the entire pitching staff (8 iP, 9 ER and 16 K’s) / Braves lineup. It would seem that the combination of 9 runs and 16 K’s in 8 innings has to be some sort of record.

HK,
Apparently, Roy tied a record from 1916, where he struck out 9 an was lifted after 3.1 innings. Not sure about the grand team total. However, if the Braves can strikeout 16 times and still put up nine runs, it is not only scary but it makes the record very mutable.

I sat with one prominent scout who had this to say after watching Halladay’s outing of last night: “Clearly he has lost velocity. Its not that he can’t control his fastball, it’s that he doesn’t wanna to throw it over plate. The Halladay of two years ago was free to cut the ball in on the hands to lefties and away from righties. The batters could know its coming but Halladay throwing 94 can get it by them or jam. Halladay ay 88-90 – not so much.

“He still has plenty of movement but the the inability to st things up off his fastball is going to make him a different pitcher. Instead of just relying on movement he will now have to work on changing speeds more, like adding a slower curve and change in order to give a batter more speeds to look at, while also pitching backwards sometimes. He needs to try to keep hitters off balance early in the count sometimes with softer stuff so when the fastball comes in, it will look faster to the hitter and they’ll be late on it.

“Its a matter of adapting. It happens to all pitchers later in life. Doc work ethic and strength of mind gives him as good a chance as anyone to do it. Seems like he needs to get past the anger stage and move to acceptance”.

Me and one of the other PN writers, Jon Nisula, both said almost the same exact thing last night … Halladay had great movement, but poor command ..

It looked like Halladay couldn’t get anything on the inside-corner to RH, and when he threw away – they either chased, or let it go for a ball … that’s what led to both the High K total, and the high pitch count.

I was pleased to see so many swing&misses last night – that’s an encouraging sign. he just needs to get better control, but hopefully that will come in the next start or two

I believe Doc can make the adjustment he needs to make. A lot of other pitchers later in their career had to do the same. The problem as I see it, is that most of those pitchers took at least a year, maybe 2 in order to change their game. Do the Phils have that kind of time? Can Doc being the workout freak that he is, overcome faster than other pitchers?

Hey Lefty, I do have a question – I heard the announcers repeat over and over again how Roy’s velocity was back up and I didn’t see it. I missed the first inning mess and I heard he hit 93. What I did see sure didn’t look good but it was nowhere near the velocity they were speaking of. What do you think attributed to this?

Brooks, I think this article answers your question best. I agree with most, not all, but most of what the scout said. My personal opinion? In the end, Father Nature always wins. For different athletes, it’s just a matter of when. Anyway, check out Starks piece, I think it says a lot.

you imbicile. didnt you watch the game last night? or better yet why dont you go to espn mlb and see!!! Im sorry, you probably think it was the rain the bothered halliday, or it was just his first start. Please.

Hey ken, your back handed compliment was dually noted. Remember it, and how it got your a** kicked off this site. As for answering Chuck A. he has lost all respect from me. Therefore I will be ignoring his moronic irrational perspectives on baseball. As for you, sir, you just made my day. Let the phillies nation community be our witness. I accept your bet assuming you are taking the same position as Chuck A**.

cool, first action since year before last when a Dallas fan saw they were a 6 point dog to the J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets, and he thought the game was in Dallas, so I told him I’d take the Jets (who were actually home) and 6, and we did the action. What a cockroach.

Anyway, the bet is on, and don’t forget to apologize to Mr. Imbecile and Lefty for being out of line. It;s the least you could do since they were nice (?) enough to talk to you while you were here.

I don’t take any solace that our pitching staff threw a ton of K’s last night. Atlanta has that type of all or nothing hitters. I would not be surprised to see them lead the majors in batting strikeouts this season, and maybe home runs too.

Meanwhile, this is pitching season. When the air gets hot and light the balls will fly much more than now. A quick look around the league shows plenty of strong pitching performances the first two days of the season. Granted, Atlanta is warmer, but that air was almost “PacBell maritime like” last night. Let’s hope it gets better fast so they can win my predicted 92 games!

arc, my father fought the Germans in sub zero temperatures in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII. He did not abuse me or anyone else once he returned. I am very proud of him, for the freedom he fought for. He wore his medals with honor, marched in parades when he was in his 80’s, and passed away in 2006.

yeah yeah yeah, my daddy was an upstanding man also, so what have you accomplished other than blogging on a baseball site? what your father did i can respect that, but if you want me to respect you youre going to have to do better than be a career baseball poster who insults me. Now lets talk some baseball preferably with other people!!!

Blogging on a baseball site is not an accomplishment. I’ll keep my personal life private.

Your disrespect of everyone on this board the last few months has far exceeded the level of anyone I would ever want reciprocation of from. Trust me, I don’t need to do better for you, I don’t need you at all.

shut up and either accept or decline the bet!!! Youre always right, im always wrong, lets settle this once and for all. Loser to never post on this site again. I think youll decline because you and your rationale are chicken Sh*T.

just what I thought, all mouth with nothing to back it up. At the end of the day you have no phaith in your beloved Phillies. On the other hand i stand behind what I say, and am prepared to take the consequences if im wrong!!! I will forever remember the day you chickened out of the bet, and will remind you when you try and rip my posts.

There is a 100 % chance of daytime rain today in Atlanta, dropping to 40% tonight, so seems like a little check up on some numbers might be applicable to tonight.

Medlen is a monster. Anybody be winning consecutive pitcher of the month titles is worthy of such description, and in his young career, only has a few matchups with some Phils, but there is some encouraging news

RyHo is 4 for 7 with 2 shots. Chase is 2-4 with a double. Chooch is 4-6 off the Braves righty. Whoop dee doo. Huh?

Last night was coined a must win, and the Phils fell a practically insurmountable 2 games behind the Mets. So tonight is probably best described as an absolutely got to have it encounter.

Freeman is 6-19 off Cliff, but has struck out 7 times. Justin Upton is 3-8.

Whole bunch of day games todayfor getaway day as more clubs open their home seasons tomorrow. I don’t know why this is a night game, although if it had been scheduled that way, chances of it avoiding the rain decreased, as it turned out. What I really don’t get is why Phils Royals is a night game Saturday, but oh well. Sterling Joe draws the Reds at Cincy for his first start of the year, and that’s a daytimer.

So last night, Doc needed 95 pitches to get 10 outs. Lincecum needed 91 pitches to get 15 outs against nee Brooklyn. Timmy gave up 0 earned runs, but threw only 46 strikes out of 91 tosses. Game 1 of the ’10 playoffswas a major headliner back then. Now it’d be a survival of the fittest. We’ll see who right their ship first.

Hey ken, your back handed compliment was dually noted. Remember it, and how it got your a** kicked off this site. As for answering Chuck A. he has lost all respect from me. Therefore I will be ignoring his moronic irrational perspectives on baseball. As for you, sir, you just made my day. Let the phillies nation community be our witness. I accept your bet assuming you are taking the same position as Chuck A**. nothing I like better than to get you optimistic self righteous fans off this site!!

arc – Since you want a response from me here goes: Lefty made a comment to which I responded by saying that at the end of the weekend I think they’ll be 3-3. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe they will be 0-6 or 4-2 or 1-5 or 2-4. maybe none of that will happen if tonight’s game is rained out. Who knows. Who really cares. This is a baseball blog where we all go to have a little fun.

But I’m not betting on anything with someone like you who has ZERO respect for posters that have been on here for awhile, calling out names, degrading their character, stuff like that. Have I EVER called YOU a name?? I don’t think so.

Here’s a suggestion for you: Stop will all the bullshit and be a man and participate in a manner that befits one. If you can’t do that then leave. Because I can tell you this – We aren’t. Ken, Lefty, myself, anyone else that gets under your skin. Ok?? Sound good?

Chuck A, you are a piece of work. You have attacked, demeaned, called me names ever since my first posting on this site., and now you are the morality police?? Remember you started this. You and a couple other posters on here, and i checked seems like none of you were on here pre 2008. coincidence? Anyway, you attack anyone who is critical of the phillies. anyone who has any analysis other than rainbows and sunshine for the phillies is a moron “in your own words” remember, you are the Minority philly fan, albeit the stereotypical one who gives this city all the bad publicity. The majority of us dont like the way this org is going, and even if that werent true, anyone is entitled to their opinion. And for your other buddies on here that have a problem with me, you check the postings to see who started mud slinging first. besides that Ken bland is right, if you disagree with me, and I really am crazy, and you continuously respond to me what does that make you. If you dont like my postings please dont ever respond to them.

As for your original posts, I think you are misguided believing the Phils take 2 of three in the upcoming games. I believe they will lose 2 of 3, is that better??

Frank, I absolutely agree. It is getting to a point where it is not only absolutely ridiculous but really annoying. Several people here on the blog have repeatedly proven arc’s crap wrong but obviously that does not lead to anything. Best thing is to either cut him off or simply stop replying to him.

No one has proven me wrong. how do you prove an opinion wrong??? You and frank and who ever take on this that I should have to leave because you dont like what I say is childish, and totalitarianistic. This is the USA, and I have every right to express my opinion.
If you disagree, do it to my face, and do it respectfully, and I will reciprocate.

Arc …enough with the name-calling and vague threats here buddy. Nobody is saying anything to your face- because this is a blog.. on the internet.. and for all anyone knows, you could be a 14-year-old girl

Though if you are interested in people putting money where their mouth is … i’ll take that KC bet with you.

If the Phillies win 2-of-3 against the Royals… you can’t post in the comment sections for the remainder of the month of April

If the Royals win 2-of-3… I can’t post in the comment sections for the remainder of the month of April

Before Brian and Pat step in and start blocking people for good…. everyone should take another look at the Comment Policy for this site … we’re allowed to disagree, but enough with the name calling and cyber-fights, bros

allright we’re really starting to sound like a bunch of girls on here with the he said she said. I thought we were all men here and could take a little bit of railing. it is obvious i have stepped on a few of you guys feelings. But, Im going to continue to express my outlook for the team i love whether its pessimistic or not. I think I provide evidence for any statement which needs backing. deal with me how you want, but dont complain when i bite back.

Now here are some of the recent points ive made, you may not like them but that dont make them wrong.

1) Revere looks like nothing but a younger cheaper Victorino.
2) Amaro is to blame for the mess we’re in
3) the Phillies need to fire sale now
4)espn only highlight the phillies when a tragedy occurs to us.

Don and Chuck – Why do you let another poster drag you into the mud with em. You know you’re getting sucked in a little bit too much when AFW is telling you to ignore a guy 🙂 As for Roy, He looked like he had enough stuff last night. I don’t care what anyone says, that pitch Upton hit out was a good one. Its just that two years ago it would have been five miles faster and he would have swung through it. And on the off chance that arc is a 14 year old girl PLEASE do NOT accept any email enclosures or request for a video chats from him/her if he/she tries to contact you directly. We have laws regulating that stuff. Back to Doc, anyone who has that curve, change, and cutter, oughta be able to survive with just a 89 mph fastball. Instead of Roy Halladay he might just have to be Vance Worley now. The good Vance.

First, your first statement is rediculous. How does anyones analysis on here cahnge anyones life? We’re just having fun talking about baseball. As for your second question; Thats a great question. First It looks like 2014 free agency is not that impressive as far as I can tell. # 2 Lets see what Lee, Halliday (eeeh), Utley, and Rollins are worth. If anyone on here might evn fathom that Idea i would like the insight.

As a huge fan of Doc – I sincerely hope he gets it together. His work ethic makes him the ultimate professional. However I do not like seeing the Doc that blows up in the dugout after he gets pulled from the game. What was that about? If I were Charlie, I would have pulled him at the end of the third when he got up to bat with 2 guys on base. What was he at pitch wise already 74 or something?

As far as ARC’s comment that Ben Revere is like a younger cheaper Victorino – defensively – what would be the problem with that? Offensively, that statement is simply not correct – Victorino was not patient at the plate at all and Revere is.

all I ment was production wise. patient or not patient their 2012 numbers look very similar, except obviously xbase hits, but with 20 or so less games on reveres part their was no upgrade at that position as of 2012 stats.

arc – You can “bite back” all you want but just do so with a bit more respect. That’s all anyone is asking. TRUST ME…. we all don’t agree with each other on here and we certainly all don’t think that Ruben Amaro has made all the right moves. I don’t think anyone is an apologist for the Phillies and it’s management but it DOES get tiring to read that “they suck” or “the season is over” or “fire Charlie” 2 games into the season.

As for your recent questions here are my responses:

1) Revere IS cheaper than Vic but he isn’t like him in that he’s a better defender (some of Vic’s routes to get to balls were real head-scratchers), he hits for NO power whereas Vic has some pop. And I think he’ll be more of a base-stealer or menace on the basepaths. I think if he can get on base consistently he can steal 50-60 bags.

2) Amaro has made some mistakes, but not every decision has been wrong. I can’t blame him for going all in with this team and giving them a chance. He got them to the playoffs for 3 straight years (’09-’11) and they may have gotten there last year if not for injuries to Utley, Howard and Halladay (not his fault). Getting to the playoffs is huge and then it’s a crapshoot. Look how many Wild Cards have advance far in the past several years.

3) Fire sale? Now? That’s the kind of dramatic, over-reactive statement that I’m talking about. We aren’t the Marlins of Miami so let’s just cool it with that talk. Give Amaro credit for selling last trade deadline. We saw a lot of good come from that.

4) Again with the “tragedy” word. This is a game not a matter of world peace or life/death. I agree that the national media at least SEEMS to favor other cities and has it out for Philly but I really don’t think that there’s much real fact to base that statement on.

Who bets the final game of a series, and the first two-of-three of the next series?? That’s odd. But anyway, yea, I’m in… Phillies win 2 of their next 3 (regardless of opponent, in case they get rained-out today) .. and we’ll see you later.

My point is, what good is blaming all of this on Amaro and gives a rip about how ESPN reports us? You wanna relive the whole Amaro what he did right/wrong thing? Been down road a million times. And how does that affect us moving forward. You think he should be fired? Ok, there’s a conversation. Ben Revere is cheap speed and defense. Everyone can use that. What would a Phillies fire sale look like? Just curious. Howard, Utley, Rollins, and Lee and Halladay all traded for some good, not great or uber, prospects? And eat a bunch of money to boot? Lay it on me. I’d listen to a good fire sale plan.

Everyone bitches that the Phillies are “too old” and that there are too many big contracts saddling the payroll …so Amaro goes out and gets a younger CF who is a lot cheaper…and now that isn’t a good enough move, either.

Shane Victorino was too expensive to bring back and I give Ruben credit for saying no and looking elsewhere. I think the Revere addition will be a good one and moving Worley when they did was smart. I don’t think his (Worley’s) value would have ever been higher.

The batting average in balls in play is .800. That is incredible, 1 start or not.

And his K/9 is 24 and change.

That’s what kind of night it was.

Somehow, some way, the truth lies in the middle, although for cryin’ out loud, one can only hope it lies further from the middle, although I guess nobody would complain if he got his K/9 to level off at 16.Anyway, Doc continuews tio lead any and all industries in regression.

Just how much regression one man can stand is a difficult thing to live through, I’m sure.

The game on Channel 17 Monday night was the Phils most watched home opener since 1996.
I suppose there’s an explanation for that like prime time versus day time, maybe it being on a Monday, some explanation, but I know myself, opening day interest is extended even further off a winning season, not something like last year (I mean I’m watching anyway, so it really doesn’t matter), but still, since ’96 is fascinating.

We’ll see if the bottom of the order can keep Medlen on the ropes. This guy settles in, yuck. You never know, but this has the makings of a helluva game. Good start by Cliff, but realistically, sometimes, he starts terrifically and then comes this one bad inning. But if he’s on a roll, watch out.

TV does Cliff no justice. He is so much fun to watch in person. Guy pops up the 3rd out, and is running toward the dugout before the out drops in the glove. Dude is one cool character. Not to mention he’s leading off, snd it’s well known how much priority it is with him.

Brett Myers pitching some batting practice up north tonight. 3 shots for the Jays. And stopper Andy Pettitte getting the Yanks on track with a much needed effort. Detroit next for the Empire, and a pretty brutal series for the AL champs against the Twins.

one thing for sure, the Phils are hitting the ball hard. To me, that counts for something. Nix K was their 3rd of the night. That’s not terrible. Doesn’t exacty match up with hits with RISP, but I don’t think the offense is too bad tonight.

It’s just early to go to 120 pitches, but such an advantage if Cliff could go 9, keeping Adams and Papelbon as available as possible with several games in a row. But at least he has a great shot at going 8 now.

That’s not a terrible series. Fight back to a decent shiot in Game 1, get out with a sparkling job by Cliff. I guess you have to sacrifice a game to let Doc work through it, but it speaks to the pacer necessary to get it done, because you can’t lose to of 3 to key division competition as a sacrifice too often.

Good to get real baseball back, we got our time’s worth in 2 of 3, and it’s back at the Bank to keep plugging along. I think I’d call the series C+ overall.

Would agree, bats were decent lot of well hit balls, wind and weather in Atlanta was whacky this week as well. hitting the ball hard was most important. May need to move some around in the order, thinking Brown behind Howard and Young behind him.

Need to sweep the Royals this weekend.

Lee was great
Hamels needs to rebound Sunday, Doc will give him 3-4 more starts before I make an opinion on.